Using 3.07 ${pb}^{-1}$ of data collected in the energy range 0.60-0.97 GeV by CMD-2, about 150 events of the process $\epm \to \pch$ have been selected. The energy dependence of the cross section agrees with the assumption of the $a_1(1260) \pi$ intermediate state which is dominant above 1 GeV. For the first time \fourpi events are observed at the $\rho$ meson energy. Under the assumption that all these events come from the $\rho$ meson decay, the value of the cross section at the $\rho$ meson peak corresponds to the following decay width: \Gamma(\rho^0 \to \fourpi) = (2.8 \pm 1.4 \pm 0.5) {keV} or to the branching ratio B(\rho^0 \to \fourpi) = (1.8 \pm 0.9 \pm 0.3) \cdot 10 ^{-5}.
Measured cross section.
The complete results of the experiments carried out with the Neutral Detector at the e + e − storage ring VEPP-2M in the energy range 2 E =0.5–1.4 GeV are reviewed. The data sample corresponds to a total integrated luminosity of 19 pb −1 .
ND results from Dolinsky et al., PL B174 (1986) 453.. Statistical errors only are shown. There is an additional systematic errorof 8%.
New ND data.. Statistical errors only are shown. There is an additional systematic errorof 8%.
Averaged ND data.. Statistical errors only are shown. There is an additional systematic errorof 8%.